Jinamanjari 1995 09 No 12

Author(s): Jinamanjari
Publisher: Canada Bramhi Jain Society Publication

Page 59

Whatever be the date of the text of Dharmamrta, a Ganapesvaram inscription of 14th Centuary A.D. boasts of an ancient ruler named Dhanada who recovered from.the sea certain portion of the land to provide habitation for his people.45
According to P.B. Desai, Dhanada was none other than Kubiraka mentioned in the Bhattiprolu casket inscription that was recovered from the stupa, the remains of which are still seen today. This equates him with the king Dhanada of Pratipalapura. But Bhattiprolu casket inscription could easily be dated to atleast 2nd centuary B.C. An inscription on the rim of the casket clearly mentions that Kuberaka was chief of Arhatgosti indicating his association with Jainism.46
Again in the account of Dhanada of Nayasena, there is a reference to the conversion of his wife Kamalasri from Buddhism to Jainism. On the other hand, we hear from an inscription from Hathigumbha in Orissa, that the Jain king Kharavela destroyed the city of Pihunda on the Kannabenna (Krishna) as the king converted himself to Buddhism. In the Nayasena's account, there is a mention of a Buddhist Kamalasri (wife of Dhanada) to Jainism. But Hathigumpha speaks vice-versa. Thus, these two evidences are controversial. However, from both the accounts it has to be concluded that rivalry between Jainism and Buddhism had surfaced even at the time of Kuberaka during 2nd centuary B.C. As regards the destruction of the city of Pihunda by Kharavela (first Cent. B.C.), it cannot be applied to Bhattiprolu as the Buddhist stupa was still in tact. An archaeological investigation and excavation by the author, on the stupa did not indicate any reconstruction or change in the original structure. 47 Moreover, Hathigrumpha inscription clearly states that he destroyed Pihunda and not Pratipalapura (Bhattiprolu).48
Thus, the discussion substantiates that the Chieftain Kuberaka was a benevolent Jain who inaugurated the Buddhist stupa of Bhattiprolu. This could be attributed to the influence of his wife who hailed from a family that had belief in Buddhist faith.
Coming to the context of the foot steps of Mahavira, Bhattiprolu is located right in the region of Mosali. Even if it could be taken that
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